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Glencolmcille / Gleann Cholm Cille
 In
the sixth century, Glencolmcille was chosen as a base by St. Columba, one of
Ireland's three patron saints, along with Patrick and Brigid. The name Glencolmcille,
or "Gleann Cholm Cille" in the Irish language, literally means "The
Glen of St. Columba's Church." Columba and his monks had brought the
good news of Christianity to the people of this farflung glen before setting
out for the Isle of Iona in a quest to convert Scotland. 
The monuments
of the early Irish Christian era are even more numerous than those of the
pagan past. The standing stones emblazoned with Christian crosses, the ruined
cells and even the place names are a reminder that the parish was a place
of monastic activity perhaps as early as 450 AD.
It
is not surprising that Glencolmcille is rarely on a standard itinerary of
the Irish countryside, you need to be determined to get here. Though, due
to the
stark beauty of the landscaped and historically it has been drawing visitors
for over 1500 years! There are many archeological remains still visible to
this day of these visitors.
"The
back of beyond" is one way Glencolmcille, Co. Donegal,
has been described. Glencolmcille lies nestled deep in the extreme northwest
corner of the island of Ireland. It is the Irish equivalent of a dead
end. The road literally stops here. Any further and you hit the ocean!
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